With no Senior games for nearly a month, the weather and the International break gave me the opportunity to bring Colchester RFC supporters up to speed with rugby news beyond the gates of Mill Road. It's good to see a number of former Colchester RFC players doing so well this season... where are they now?

First up is John Daventanivalu. John came through the Colne Academy with the likes of Harrison Pickett and Jerone Awesu, and this season he has been smashing up defences for the British Army XV. In the Army's 73-10 rout of Cambridge University, John grabbed a brace of tries and he had gone on to represent the Army all over Europe this season and Championship side London Scottish. John has been working as part of the Army set-up with our very own forwards coach Lee Soper. Lee has a wealth of experience and has been involved for a number of years with Army Rugby; Lee is rightly proud of his connection with Army Rugby and so far this season they have swept aside opposition both at home and abroad.

If you were at Letchworth to see our win last month you would have bumped into our former Centre Matt Smith who came along to support his former teammates. Matt is now at Bristol-based side Dings Crusaders who are running away with the South West Premier title and look odds-on for promotion into National Division 2 South. In 2014-15 Matt formed a superb centre partnership with then skipper Callum Irvine and he was a key player in our first season in the National Leagues. In defence and attack Matt was judged by many observers to be one of the most "complete" 13s in the division and his contribution was crucial in our 9th place finish in National Division 3 - our highest ever league position. In so many games it would be Matt who would make the crucial break or tackle that was ultimately the difference between a win or a loss, his colossal presence in the midfield was such a reassuring sight for all those around him!

A couple of weeks ago Colchester players Tom Miller and Jamie Murray turned out for Nottingham Trent University against Loughborough Students in the BUCS Super League. Tom Miller came through the Colchester Youth Rugby system and starred in our debut season in the National Leagues (season 2015-16). Tom is a great all-rounder, equally effective at Centre or Full Back and he has established himself in a strong Nottingham Trent Uni side. This season he has been joined by former Colchester 1st XV players Ethan Hughes and Jamie Murray. Scrum-half Jamie, who has turned out a couple of times for Colchester before leaving for University, is coming towards the end of his first year and he has done exceptionally well to make the 1st XV as a "fresher" rugby player. Jamie often re-appears during University breaks and even turns out with some of his old teammates in the Colchester Under 21's.

Closer to home, former Colchester second row Ben Kelland has a place in the Championship side Bedford Blues Academy. Ben came through the same cohort as current Colchester regulars Matt Wadling and Dan Hexley, Then after a spell at the Northampton Saints Academy, Ben returned to Colchester during the 2015-16 season in National Division 3. Despite being just 18 years old, Ben made a massive impact in the pack; his work rate and athleticism was superb and as the season progressed he became stronger and became very much accustomed to the physicality of senior rugby. Ben ended the season well and made his presence felt in a number of very physical games. After a series of superb performances, he was offered a dream move to play in France - a season playing at Top 14 side Pau in the French Under 23 League. Ben then moved back to England at the start of the season to take up a contract with Bedford. As part of his development, he is currently on loan at National 1 side Cambridge.

Another former Colchester 1st XV player making a mark in professional rugby is back row forward James McRae. Before leaving Colchester to study, James had a stand out season in the 1st XV in our 2014-15 promotion season. For three years James has been a regular in the powerful Exeter University side (including holding the captaincy) and he has also toured with the Exeter Chiefs Premiership 7s squad and looks destined to become part of the Chiefs set up having made appearances for the Exeter Braves this season in the Aviva A Competition. In addition, James is a fixture in the England Students training squad and has regularly represented England in full student international games.

It is a fact of life that we will undoubtedly lose (albeit sometimes temporarily) some of our players to University, but what's important is that they remember that if they ever wish to return that there will always be a place for them at Colchester RFC. At the end of this season for example, we will bid farewell to 1st XV regulars Joe Colcomb and Will Brown. Both of them took a "year out" from studying and forced their way into the 1st XV with superb pre-season performances and haven't looked back - they will have a great time at uni and their new sides will be fortunate to call on their skills; they are always welcome back!

So this weekend the snow has gone and rugby is back. The 1st XV travel to Old Priorians for our penultimate away game of the season. There are a couple of enforced changes due to availability. With Rhys Hartley and Charlie Thorogood both unavailable, Joe McMillan will showcase his versatility by moving across from loosehead prop to hooker. The front row vacancy is filled by Alex Mitchell who has very much earned his 1st XV call up with a string of powerful displays for the Ravens against quality opposition.

There is a new-look to the back division with Matt Wadling and David Higgins coming in at scrum half and fly half respectively, and we also welcome back the Colchester legend Damien Brambley to the starting line up. Damien has been incredibly busy in London, but he's back and everyone who has seen Damo in action will attest that he can turn a game with a moment of pure magic!

1st XV rugby is back at Mill Road next weekend when we take on Fullerians in a re-arranged fixture - snow permitting! At the moment the Mill Road pitches look in great condition thanks to Rod Chatters and his amazing work - not even the 'beast from the east' can stop him from producing top-notch pitches!